Surgically implanted micro-platforms and microsystems in arthropods and methods based thereon

Abstract

A method is provided for producing an arthropod comprising introducing a microsystem such as a MEMS device into an immature arthropod under conditions that result in producing an adult arthropod with a functional microsystem permanently attached to its body. A method is also provided for producing a robotic apparatus. The method can comprise introducing a microsystem such as a MEMS device into an immature arthropod under conditions that result in producing a robotic apparatus with the microsystem permanently attached to the body of the adult arthropod.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for producing an arthropod, comprising:
 introducing a microsystem into an immature arthropod under conditions that allow growth of the immature arthropod into an adult arthropod thus producing the adult arthropod that is implanted with the microsystem substantially free of injury and without hindering physical functions of the adult arthropod, 
 wherein the microsystem is functional and attached to the body of the adult arthropod, and 
 wherein the microsystem is introduced when the immature arthropod is at a development stage that includes a molting period prior to that of the adult arthropod such that development into the adult arthropod heals an initial injury to the immature arthropod caused by the introducing the microsystem. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the microsystem is permanently attached. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the immature arthropod is an insect. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the insect is a holometabolous insect. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the introducing step is surgical implantation. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the microsystem is an attachment apparatus. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the immature arthropod undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult arthropod such that the microsystem is incorporated and biocompatibly coupled into the body of the arthropod. 
     
     
       8. A method for producing a robotic apparatus, the method comprising:
 introducing a microsystem into an immature arthropod or portion thereof under conditions that allow growth of the immature arthropod into an adult arthropod to produce a robotic apparatus, wherein the robotic apparatus comprises:
 the microsystem, and 
 a biological system, the biological system comprising the adult arthropod or portion thereof, and wherein the microsystem is biocompatibly attached to the body of the adult arthropod or portion thereof without injury and without hindering physical functions of the robotic apparatus, 
 
 wherein the introducing includes attachment of the microsystem to the immature arthropod at a development stage that includes a molting period prior to that of the adult arthropod such that development into the adult arthropod heals an initial injury to the immature arthropod caused by the introducing the microsystem. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein the microsystem is attached permanently. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8  wherein the biological system comprises a portion of the adult arthropod capable of generating or controlling a physiological function of the adult arthropod, and wherein the robotic apparatus is capable of carrying out the physiological function or a portion or subfunction thereof. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein the physiological function is locomotion. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein the microsystem activates a muscle that regulates the locomotion. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  wherein the muscle is a flight muscle and the locomotion is flying. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12  wherein the muscle is a leg muscle and the locomotion is walking. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 8  wherein the immature arthropod is an insect. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  wherein the insect is a holometabolous insect. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 8  wherein the introducing step is surgical implantation. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 8  wherein the microsystem is an attachment apparatus. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 8  wherein the immature arthropod undergoes a metamorphosis to the adult arthropod such that the microsystem is incorporated and biocompatibly coupled into the body of the adult arthropod.